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Sultanahmet Square
 The first of the seven hills on the promontory has been the most important and dynamic part of Istanbul in all ages. When the city was first founded, the acropolis was a typical Mediterranean trading center surrounded by city walls. This trading center was enlarged and rebuilt during Roman times. The most prominen Hagia Sophia
 Hagia Sophia (Greek: "Holy Wisdom", Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum, in Istanbul Hagia Sophia - Aya Sofya
The Church of the Divine Wisdom (Hagia Sophia in Greek) in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, is one of the most impressive and important buildings ever constructed. Its wide, flat dome was a daring engineering feat in the 6th century, and architects still marvel at the building's many innovations. Called Hagia Sophia in Greek, Sancta Sophia in Latin, Ayasofya in Turkish, it was built on the site of Byzantium's acropolis (map) by Emperor Justinian (527-65 AD) in 537 AD. Ayasofya was the greatest church in Christendom, and was meant to be. According to Prof. Robert Osterhout, it was built to surpass the gigantic Church of St Polyeuchtos erected by Julia A Highlights of Istanbul Old City
Tour Summary Type: Culture, History, Shopping Length: 4 Hours Timing: This half day tour must start before 9:00 AM or after 1:00 PM.  |